Reviews

AMDA- College of the Performing Arts- Los Angeles Campus

3.12
Average Rating

Maranda from Los Angeles, CA

a current student here

2 people found this review useful

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Comments

In three sentences

This is a good school, but it is not for all people. It has fabulous teachers and they do a good job at teaching each student differently. It also has a good atmosphere and surrounded around people that love the same thing.

Tips for prospective students

Keep up on your homework and DO NOT SLACK! Be well mannered and on time for every class. Also PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.

Academic Rigor

The classes seem easy at first, but you have to keep up with the work load or you will get lost and have too much to do. The teachers are wonderful to be taught under and work with.

Dorm Life

The dorms can crazy at times, but the dorm I lived in(Vine) we all became super close. The only problem was it only had a microwave to cook from and it had spiders.

Food and Dining

They have a wonderful AMDA cafe. The food is absolutely tasty the only problem is the food is over priced.

What to do for fun

What we do for fun is we go to the movies/shops in Hollywood and Highland. Take the metro to The Grove and Universal Studios.

Clubs and Activities

The clubs and activities are awesome because any student can be involved in it. They bring you out of shell and show you something new.

Campus Safety

The campus is safe, but we live in Hollywood so people have to be careful of the people on the street. That is why we have guards to walk us to the dorms if we need it.

Rick from Everett, WA

It's a very small but interactive school and you will be getting lots of individual work which will make you excel in whatever performance based career you plan on doing.

Tips for prospective students

You must have confidence in yourself and be ready to work. They don't want students that aren't serious. Too many talented people that are serious that you will stand out and make a fool out of yourself if you aren't ready to start your career.

Academic Rigor

You will be required to take 5 classes per semester (15 credits) and you aren't allowed to miss 5 classes or you fail the class which includes being sick.

Dorm Life

They have 6 different residental buildings that are like apartment style. You could have from 1-5 roommates depending on your room size and they all have something different about each building.

Food and Dining

They have a cafe on campus that has literally everything and there is also grocery stores/drug stores close by for food inside your room.

Campus Safety

24 hour security! You have a person checking IDs right when you walk into a residental building, they have police officers on bikes roaming campus and you can have an escort to class from apts or from class to apts.

Simeon from Rock Hill, SC

a current student here

30 people found this review useful

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Comments

Am learning a lot

The Training at this institution is incredibly educating. The instructors are industry professionals who have known this business for years. At AMDA you get the foundation you need as an artist to succeed in the industry. The coursework is very intense and is backed by a rigorous syllabus that is awesome for your artist development. You learn so much about your craft, and the business aspect of what we call SHOW BUSINESS.

Am enjoying being here

I am truly enjoying my time at AMDA the intensity of the program is what i need to learn as an artist. The atmosphere at the institution is great. You get to know the feeling of what true professionals deal with on a day to day basis. The city is AWESOME! Being in the heart of Manhattan is nothing short of amazing, you see your dreams right before your eyes each day.

Bang for the buck

As a student if you put your best foot forward in this program your money will be worth all of that and more. As a student at AMDA you have to make up in your mind to how serious you are about this art, in order to receive all that you need to gain at this institution. The instructors will only push you so much, it's up to you to take the torch and run with it. One thing that we were always asked was Is this craft your hobby, or your career?. When you think of that question and exactly what it means this will drive you insane to put your best foot forward for your money.

Tips for prospective students

If your ready for the real world of professional show business don't delay audition and try your best to get in. This is a fabulous place to be, to learn, and better your art in order to make a foot print in the industry.

Great for these types of students

AMDA is great for those students who can see themselves doing nothing else in life but performing, writing, directing, casting, or producing. If you can see yourself doing anything else in the back of your mind don't waste your time or your money with this institution.

Marissa from Torrance, CA

The Los Angeles Campus is absolutely inspiring. The faculty will push you in ways you never thought were possible and they truly want to see you succeed.

Tips for prospective students

At AMDA- LA you will succeed if you put in the work. Rehearsals are imperative, and if you aren't prepared/willing to put in the extra hours you may want to consider a different school. But don't worry about being perfect all of the time. The teachers know you're in school to learn, and they're there to help you in any way they can.

Academic Rigor

You really have to be dedicated and put in the effort yourself. No one else can rehearse for you or get your work done. Because this is a performance school most of your grades throughout the semester will be based on performances. They aren't looking for perfection, but they are looking to hard work, dedication, and improvement.

Dorm Life

There are several buildings you may be assigned to, but most of them are apartment style living, complete with private bathrooms and kitchens.

Food and Dining

There is no cafeteria at either campus, but in LA there is a cafe on campus that you can purchase food plans for or dine at occasionally. They offer food at a reasonable price, and have specials and a lower priced menu available weekly.

What to do for fun

There are so many things to experience in Hollywood and New York City! Whatever you enjoy most whether it be hiking, the beach, or a night out on the town, there are plenty of opportunities. I would definitely suggest to any student, after they have adjusted to the school to take the time to explore the city! Both campuses are located in such brilliant cities it would be a shame not to experience all they have to offer!

Bang for the buck

College is a serious investment regardless of where you're studying, and even though AMDA is private, and the price is up there a bit, I believe it is completely worth it. With the faculty they hire, the connections you can make and the resources they offer The price is justified.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

The Cafe in LA is such a great place to be, whether you're meeting up with friends or spending a late night studying.

Great for these types of students

Dedicated, serious students willing to work, and those who want the aid of a teacher to grow and blossom into the best performer you can be.

Clubs and Activities

There are tons of extracurricular activities available for students to audition or and get involved in from the mainstage musical and play to the small blackbox productions, and the student directed project 15 performance. There is never a dull moment on campus, and if you aren't participating in a show, having the opportunity to see it is outstanding.

Campus Safety

Both campuses are extremely safe. No one is permitted on campus without a current student/alumni ID or approved Visitor's Pass. And in Los Angeles, if you would like a security guard to escort you to your dorm after a late night of rehearsing, they are more than happy to oblige.

Robyn from Yuma, AZ

a current student here

9 people found this review useful

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Am learning a lot

AMDA is a fantastic school to hone your craft. The faculty is full of outstanding working professionals who know the ins and outs of the business because they have firsthand experience. There is a copious amount of resources at your disposal. The course is intense and not for slackers. There is a lot expected from you and if you work hard to achieve you will be rewarded.

Am enjoying being here

I have been lucky enough to experience both the Hollywood and New York campuses. The two cities both have countless opportunities for learning because you are in the center of everything. In New York you can walk to times square and get student rush tickets for a show which are very reasonably priced, the school even gives out free tickets on occasion. The New York dorms are two blocks from central park which is a great place to just escape and work on homework. The Los Angeles school is a block away from Hollywood Boulevard and the Pantages Theatre is right down the street. Theatre Row is also not far, it's a simple trip on the Metro or Bus Line. Being centrally located is a great advantage and a necessary asset for this career.

Bang for the buck

The school is a bit pricey, at times you may find yourself wondering why you're paying that much. I look back on my personal growth over my past three semesters and I know I am certainly getting my money's worth.

Tips for prospective students

Soak in everything! Take notes in every class and use your resources! It's not only the teachers you can learn from but the students. The least exploited resource at school is the students, they are full of fresh knowledge as well, learn from them!

Great for these types of students

Passionate people who care about the art of what they are doing. People willing to take risks and fall on their face then get right back up. Students ready to work and take everything they can get!

Aviona from Seattle, WA

a current student here

8 people found this review useful

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Am learning a lot

I went into this not having any dance experience and came out of my first year with a better understanding of spacial awareness and myself. This program is all about learning about who you are and what you are capable of doing.

Am enjoying being here

New York is an amazing city. The teachers are engaging. You will enjoy the things they have to teach while spending your down time in the city.

Tips for prospective students

Make sure you know if this is indeed what you want to do with your life, you have to be extremely committed and want it more than life itself.

Amanda from Bennington, VT

a past student here

7 people found this review useful

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Did learn a lot

My two years in the conservatory program were amazing! I learned so much about all three aspects of musical theater performance: singing, acting, dancing. The teachers are all phenomenal and are working professionals, which means they know what's going on in the business these days. The most important thing you need to know is that you get out of AMDA what you put into it! You have to be willing to work hard and you must be dedicated otherwise this is not the school for you!

Did enjoy being here

I studied at the NY campus, which was extremely useful for this profession. I got to see a ton of Broadway shows, especially since AMDA always has free tickets to different theater shows.

Bang for the buck

The dorms in NY are not the best I will say that, but again you are studying in NYC.

Tips for prospective students

Take advantage of the special classes and extra study reviews the faculty offer.

Great for these types of students

Students who love to perform more than anything! If you love to do something else or you are not 100% sure you want to be onstage or behind the scenes, then you should look at other schools.

Luis

a current student here

4 people found this review useful

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Comments

In three sentences

This school teaches you how the real performing arts world works and how to efficiently deal with problems you are soon to face. It will teach you time management skills and will help you learn how to wake up more than on time. It's a great experience.

Tips for prospective students

Make sure you have your scholarships and financial aid in order before you start, and always check up on your loan statuses.

Academic Rigor

The performing classes will rock your world, and it's the greatest feeling ever. Academia here is wonderful as well, although sometimes the workload is daunting, especially with outside rehearsals you need for performance classes.

Dorm Life

The people you will meet are amazing, however the dorms are sometimes a little to be desired. For freshman, it's all about the luck of the draw, but for upperclassmen it's all about getting your housing paper work in early.

Food and Dining

The food at the Cafe is great, but there isn't really a meal plan for those of us who are low on family income. However, as long as you don't eat there every day, you should be just dandy.

What to do for fun

The studios are open for use by students, so go there rehears a bit, whatever suits you. But also, it's Hollywood! Walk the strip, see a show, go to a club! The mall gets old after a while, but as long as you're always willing to try something new, there's an adventure to be had every day.

Great for these types of students

It's only good for people that cannot and will not do anything else with their lives but perform. If you're doing it cause you've always been pushed to, then you won't get anything out of it. Sure you'll get a great education and have amazing technique work, but without a true drive you'll never have as great of an experience as you can.

Greek Life

Absolutely none, and it's amazing.

Campus Safety

Mandatory ID checks before you enter the gates or any building. It gets kind of bothersome at times, especially when running to class, but better safe than sorry.

Richard from Everett, WA

a current student here

3 people found this review useful

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Comments

In three sentences

If you are ready to take a huge step to get you prepared for the entertainment business, then this is the school for you. You will have a full plate but will have lots of fun. The programs are not easy but the knowledge that you receive is beneficial.

Tips for prospective students

Do not take on too much when you are first starting out. It may take a few semesters to get your feet on the ground. You may be the best in your hometown but be humble when you come to this school because there are a lot of talented people just like you.

Academic Rigor

This school pushes you past your limits at times. You definitely have an overstuffed Thanksgiving plate and your time management skills will definitely need to kick in right away once you get to school.

Dorm Life

The dorms are not so great at the LA campus but most the money you are paying for are for the teachers and that's the main reason you are there. You are there to learn what they are to teach you and get you prepared for this business.

Food and Dining

The Cafe at the campus is nice. They have a variety of foods but I would definitely not recommend eating there for every meal because you will get sick of the foods but also it will drain your accounts at the bank.

What to do for fun

There is a lot to do! Just at the school there are performances all the time. You definitely will make friends and with that will come good times. You are in the heart of Hollywood if you go to the LA Campus so depending on what kind of things you like, I'm sure Hollywood has it for you.

Bang for the buck

At times I feel that this school is a lot of money but for only being in my first semester, I have learned so much about what it takes but also about myself. The knowledge of these teachers is phenomenal so soak as much as possible.

Great for these types of students

Driven people that love the arts.

Clubs and Activities

There are shows that you can audition for towards the beginning of the semesters and student projects you can join to gain some experience. So at your time at AMDA, you will have plenty of opportunities to perform.

Greek Life

There isn't a greek system. The school has about 650 students total so it's a very small school.

Campus Safety

Security guards check IDs all the time to make sure only students are on campus and in campus buildings to make sure the students at AMDA are safe. You can also have an security guard escort you to your destination (AMDA building) to make sure you are safe.

Alaina from Corning, AR

i would describe this school as amazing!!! it has met my needs and i know i will succeed. thank you AMDA!

Tips for prospective students

work hard
put best your time and effort

Academic Rigor

This place has amazing teachers. I was amazed by how many celebrities have gone here. AMDA makes me want to graduate sooner than 2016.

Dorm Life

When i looked at the online tour, i was blown away by the dorms. They are in my price range,and are beautiful. they also have great views.

Food and Dining

From what a past alumini student said the food is amazing. when described i was hungry after talking with her. yum.

What to do for fun

weither you are in California or New York at AMDA ther are lots of fun things you can do. You could hang with friends at the cafe or go shopping. Another option is if you are close to a beach have some fun there.